Scholarship

WDT Foundation Scholarships

Get help using 'WDT Foundation Scholarships'

Western Dakota Technical College Logo

The Western Dakota Tech Foundation offers over 30 individual scholarships! Some are one award, but some are multiple awards, up to 70. See details here. The WDT Foundation Scholarships application opens twice a year.

 

Summer/Fall: January 1 - March 31.

Spring: August 1 - October 31.

 

The application window will reopen August 1st!

Spring 2027 Scholarship Application: August 1 - October 31, 2026

Please click here for the WDT Foundation Scholarship application or click the link in the MyWDT Scholarship Page's Navigation panel.

 

The Foundation Scholarship application is a universal application that automatically applies each student to every WDT Foundation Scholarship they are eligible for during the application term. It means that students may be awarded for more than one scholarship. The WDT Foundation awards over $500,000 annually in scholarships. 

*Build Dakota Scholarship requires a separate application* 

What are the eligibility requirements of WDT Foundation Scholarships?

Thank You Letter - Foundation Scholarships

Thank You Template for Students (Word document)  

  • Each WDT Foundation Scholarship requires a thank you letter within two weeks of receiving an award notification email. 
    • A thank you letter must be received before the scholarship fund can be applied to your student account. Send it to Foundation@wdt.edu. Don't let "not writing a thank you letter" be a reason your foundation scholarship(s) is revoked and re-awarded to the next person!

Build Dakota Scholarship

Get help using 'Build Dakota Scholarship'

       

Build Dakota Logo

 

The 2027-2028 Build Dakota Scholarship Application will open January 1st! You can click here or the application link on the MyWDT Scholarship Page's Navigation Panel. 

More information, please visit WDTC Build Dakota Scholarship FAQs. 

*Apply during this application cycle if you plan to attend WDTC in August 2026 or January 2027. 

 

Industry Employers interested in conversing about potential industry sponsorships before or after application:

Cornerstone Industries (Katie@cornerstoneind.com)

Fall River Health Services (tyeager@frhssd.org)

Monument Health (slong2@monument.health)

Muth Electric (awinger@muthelectric.com)

Sanford Health (Karlee.Hoffarth@sanfordhealth.org)

Other sponsors have indicated interest but will just be reviewing applications as they are submitted. 

What does Build Dakota cover?

A full-ride scholarship* covers:

  • Tuition & fees
  • Textbooks
  • Tools/equipment
  • Laptop
  • Uniforms/scrubs
  • Other required expenses to complete the program

 

*It does not cover living expenses.

Build Dakota Eligible Programs

What are the eligibility requirements of the Build Dakota Scholarship?

Build Dakota Scholarship Eligibility Requirements - We're updating it. We'll activate it by 9/17/25.

Resources and Dates

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Important Dates

---Fall 2026 WDT Foundation (WDTF) Scholarship Opportunity---

January 1, 2026

The Spring 2026 WDTF Scholarship and Build Dakota Scholarship Applications open.

March 31, 2026 

Last Day to apply for the Fall (& Summer) 2026 WDTF and Build Dakota Scholarships.

May 1, 2026

The Spring 2026 WDTF Scholarship Award Notification Email will be sent to all applicants.

May 15, 2026

Deadline to submit a WDTF Scholarship thank-you letter.  

May 1 - June 2, 2026

The 2026-2027 Build Dakota Scholarship Award Notification Email will be sent to all applicants.  

 

Application Resources

3rd Party Scholarships

3rd Party Scholarship Opportunities

 

Western Dakota Tech Foundation maintains a listing of scholarship opportunities that are available from outside agencies and organizations. Before you begin your scholarship search, we recommend you review information about How to Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov). We encourage you to review the list to see more scholarships that may be available to you. 

Third-Party Scholarships Listing* (Click the highlighted to download Excel document)

  • *Western Dakota Tech Foundation does not determine the 3rd party scholarship terms, conditions, and recipients. For more information and how to apply for each scholarship, follow their URL. Please carefully read the eligibility, terms, and conditions of each scholarship. Some third-party scholarships have their scholarship application as a PDF file in the listing. You may need to download the listing (Excel document) to view those applications. 

Additional Scholarship Research Resources

Contact Information

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Director of Foundation Development

Andrew Kapelewski

Email: Foundation@wdt.edu 

Call: 605-718-1030

 

Foundation Outreach Specialist

Tanner Conley

Email: Foundation@wdt.edu 

Call: 605-718-1030

 

CHAT ONLINE 

Typically, available on Monday - Friday from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm* (MT), except for holidays & college in-service days. 

*Day & time may change due to the scholarship outreach travel calendar.